How is "negligence" defined in tort law?

In tort law, "negligence" is defined as the failure to exercise reasonable care, which results in damage or injury to another person. This concept is fundamental to personal injury claims and liability cases, as it establishes that individuals must act with a certain standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances.

When someone's actions fall short of this standard and cause harm, they can be held liable for negligence. The focus is on what the party should have done differently to prevent the harm from occurring. This is different from intentional acts, where there is a deliberate intention to cause harm, or cases where an individual might accidentally cause damage without any negligence involved. In negligence cases, the key element is the breach of duty of care, highlighting the importance of responsible behavior in preventing harm to others.